Policy and ResearchThe SMI produces authoritative research and policy papers on issues pertinent to humanitarian risk and security. Professional Development Briefs The Professional Development Briefs are a series of briefs produced by SMI which focus on topics of critical interest to the security and risk management community. They follow a standardized outline, offering practitioners an overview of key definitions and conceptual issues, the evolution of the topic, main debates and forward looking perspectives. They do not offer original research, but by providing a ‘lay of the land’, these documents aim to clarify and inform the risk and security management community. SMI publications are available to download.
Perspectives Papers presented under "Perspectives" introduce original contributions and points of view on risk and security management of non-profit aid organisations. They are not authored by SMI, nor necessarily represent the point of view of SMI, but are issued by SMI as interesting contributions to the debate on risk and security management of non-profit aid organisations. SMI publications are available to download.
Legal Liability Research Project This research project had two tracks. On the one hand, it looked at current practice in the aid sector. On the other, in cooperation with A4ID, it obtained legal reviews from law firms in five countries. This research led a to a policy paper written by Edward Kemp and Maarten Merkelbach, Can you get sued? Legal liability of international humanitarian aid agencies toward their staff (SMI, 2011). It concludes that the aid and development sector’s risk and security management is subject to the same basic legal ground rules and responsibilities as any other enterprise. It is mandatory, not optional. It is not only an operational issue, it is a governance issue. NGOs’ undertaking risk and security management need to take this into account. This publications is available to download. Click here to acces the forum (Acces by invitation only)
Analysis of Security System Design & Function A research project by Christopher Finucane, www.humanitarianpolicy.org, in cooperation with the Centre for Refugee and Disaster Response, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, and the Security Management Initiative (SMI) of the Geneva Centre for Security Policy (GCSP). This project builds on the academic and policy literature that examines aid organization responses to security risk challenges. In collaboration with participating aid organizations, documentation on risk and security management will be collected and reviewed; this will be complemented by structured interviews. The study will be directly relevant to – and for the benefit of – aid organizations, policy makers, donors and other stakeholders by presenting a comprehensive analysis of the different types of systematic approaches designed and implemented by the organizations both institutionally and in various operational contexts. To register your interest in participating in this study, please click here to complete our on-line registration form. |
News
Pouvez-vous être poursuivi en justice? Droits et obligations des organisations internationales d’aide humanitaire vis-à-vis de leur personnel
La perspective juridique développée dans ce document, à l’instar d’autres initiatives économiques, publiques et associatives, constitue une dimension nécessaire vers la professionnalisation des secteurs internationaux et non marchands de l’aide humanitaire et du plaidoyer.
Ce document démontre que les organisations d’aide internationale (OAI), même si elles sont sans but lucratif, sont soumises au même cadre juridique que toute autre entreprise – qu’elle soit de nature commerciale, publique ou associative – ainsi qu’à un contrôle externe, indépendamment des normes et directives spécifiques au secteur ou d’autorégulation interne.
Il met l’accent sur le fait qu’il est obligatoire pour les OAI de s’occuper du bien-être, de la sûreté et de la sécurité de son personnel; ceci n’est ni volontaire ni facultatif. Les OAI sont obligées de se conformer aux normes juridiques, à la législation et aux dispositions relatives à leur devoir de protection et à leur responsabilité juridique envers leur personnel. Ceci complète et renforce les préoccupations actuelles des OAI axées sur le bien-être, la sûreté et la sécurité de leur personnel, y compris la gestion des risques de sécurité. Ces préoccupations sont cependant envisagées comme étant généralement une question de choix et donc, en fait, bénévoles et sujettes à différentes interprétations.
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Traduit de l’anglais ‘Can you get sued? Legal liability of international humanitarian aid organisations towards their staff’ (SMI, 2011).
Can you get sued in Switzerland?
New SMI Publication 2012
Price of Anything - Video clips
Views of practitioners – These short clips are part of an advocacy campaign supporting the safety & security of humanitarian aid workers and human rights defenders.